From ideas hatched while tinkering around woodsheds to thousands of hours of hands in clay, and over forges, the unpretentious style of these Southern-made classic goods have intimate familiarity between maker and material. From the kitchen to the campfire, all their founders ask is for you to use them well.

“It’s a wild world out there, but a tender, beautiful one too, made ever more sacred by our daily rituals of eating, drinking, and coming together around the table.” 

2. East Fork

In 2009 Alex Matisse had just finished an apprenticeship in the North Carolina Piedmont and set out on his own to make pottery on a gloomy old Madison County tobacco farm.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Connie Coady was milking goats down the road, deep in an existential crisis. They met at the farmer’s market — she was selling cheese — and a few weeks later she moved in.

In 2013, their friend John Vigeland came to stay for the weekend. They all drank a lot of wine, read a lot of poetry, sat by the fire — they were 24 and all hopelessly romantic, after all — and before the friend headed home, he said, “I’d really like to figure out how to work together.”

A decade later, East Fork is committed to providing solid middle class manufacturing jobs to their Asheville community, while holding each other accountable to their stakeholders, vendors, and the environment and contributing to a more beautiful, equitable world. ⇒ $12 and up / eastfork.com

2. Knives You Aren’t Afraid to Use

Founded in 2016 to create functional tools for the kitchen and field by four friends with a passion for quality gear, the forge was first opened on the banks of the Stono River where the first knives were tested in the dense coastal wilderness surrounding it. Now located at the Taylors Mill in Upstate South Carolina, the reclaimed steel, wood, and environmentally sourced products used make performing their tasks with ease processing, whether it’s making kindling from driftwood or filleting a fresh caught Red Spot: ➞ $375-$450 / stonoknifeworks.com

3. Modern Heirlooms

Founded in Charleston, Smithey asks only that you use your ironware to create meals and memories of your own. They are so sure that you’ll be happy with the results that every Smithey is guaranteed for life. No. 10 Flat Top Griddle ➞ $100. Keep your Smithey clean from stubborn food remnants with a Stainless steel chainmail scrubber. It’s like a permanent dish rag. ➞ $20 / smithey.com

4. Warmth is More Than Just Heat 

When you take your grilling seriously, you need a seriously badass set of grill tools. Sea Island Forge’s artisan pieces are not only functional, but have an elevated level of cool. Cue the oohs and aahs… you’ll be the envy of every griller in the neighborhood. Each tool has an ergonomic handle and is hand-hammered for extra strength. Whether you use them over open flame or in your kitchen, you will appreciate what makes these tools so special. A handsome waxed canvas roll for storage with leather accents and copper rivets makes a great statement gift. ➞ $70-$400 / seaislandforge.com

5. Uncorked Originals

Rooted in time-honored craftsmanship from design to raw materials, Sterling Brooke’s goods are durable and refined and are used and cherished in the field and home. Hand finished in Destin, Fla., Sterling Brooke’s original designs are not just goods and provisions, they are an experience, a return to superior craftsmanship, pride, and utility.

Handle the most difficult oyster shells with the greatest of ease with solid white oak handles and stainless steel bladed shuckers. Above: Customized Oyster Shucker ➞ $55 and up. Top: The Coastal Large Pocket Knife can be used and treasured today, tomorrow, and for many generations to come, perfectly blending utility with craftsmanship ➞ $80 / sterlingbrooke.com 

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